SUCCULENTS > ALOE
IN THIS GUIDE
ALOE GUIDES
OverwinteringPropagationVarietiesWatering
You ’ve probably get a line ofAloe vera .
You ’ll see it as an element in plenty of cream and lotion , while bottles of Aloe drink are progressively vulgar on food workshop shelves .
Whatever your introduction , the works itself is a timeless classic .
In this pathfinder , we have collaborated with succulent expertLes Pearcy , the Chairperson of The Haworthia Society .
“ As a child , I was fascinated by these weirdly shape plants and became hooked – literally with some of the draw - spined cacti ! ” says Les .
“ My interestingness has never waned , and I have been very golden to see the plants growing in habitat in Southern Africa , USA and in the Canary , Madeira and Mediterranean Islands .
“ Their ability to survive in such adverse condition and then thrive in cultivation continues to captivate . ”
Overview
PreferredFull Sun
ExposureSheltered
Height0.5 – 1 grand
Spread0.5 – 1 M
Bloom TimeJuly – August
PreferredLoam , sand
MoistureWell drained
pHAny
In scientific terminus , Aloe verais a succulent belong to the genus Aloe – containing about 600 or so different species.1Aloe L.(n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . Retrieved April 4 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30106039-2#children
Aloe verais considered the ‘ on-key ’ Aloe , the plant life most indicative of the genus , because it remains the most visually iconic , and is the rootage from which the Brobdingnagian majority of commercially used Aloe is obtained .
Originally hailing from the Hajar Mountains in Northern Oman , Aloe veranow grows enthusiastically all over the world.2Aloe vera . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . recover March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:530017-1
Despite condition being quite unlike in the UK from those the Aloe is habitual to , the plant has become commonplace here for myriad understanding , as highlighted sooner .
Why Grow Aloe?
Firstly , it ’s an attractive and dramatic plant .
The ridged green stalks jut proudly outwards from the soil , go for fixed by the gel inside .
blanched blemishes on each stalk break up the dominant vivid green coloration , adding optical sake and texture .
In full sunlight , the plant has an inarguable vivacity .
Secondly , Aloe verais fairly easy to grow and look after .
This may not be a priority for all gardeners , specially those more versed in the art who may deliberately seek out plants that provide a spot of a challenge ; but for unskilled gardeners and passing national designers who just want to incorporate a little bit of green , A. verarepresents the consummate chance .
How To Grow Aloe
As succulent , A. veraprefers a soil mixing design to boost proficient drainage .
“ They are best grown in a well - draining compost , ” says Les .
“ There are lots of different prompting for the make - up of the soil , but a stock compost with the increase of sand , grit or perlite will do . ”
Avoid regular horticulture ground and look for something with ingredient like gumption , gritrock , lava rock , or standardised .
While some templet recommend adding a layer of gravel or similar to the bottom of pots to further encourage drainage , this is n’t required forA. vera , specially if you ’re using the veracious soil .
Avoiding this layer gives the roots more blank space to take hold , and should lead to a healthy plant .
A. verais most frequently maturate from cuttings of a mature flora .
To grow , fill a container just over halfway with grime , then place the cutting in the land and add more , making certain the press cutting is unwaveringly held in billet .
choose the correct passel is just as crucial as the right soil , when it comes to keeping your Aloe goodish .
A container tributary to moisture , made of terracotta or exchangeable , is recommend .
It ’s vital that the container has a drainage yap in the bottom , too , to forbid water pooling there ( top tip : place some porous meshing between the hollow and the soil to allow water out while preclude grunge from escaping and making a deal ) .
Choose a pot that ’s broad than it is deep so as to give your Aloe space to grow .
Also brook in mind that this is a plant life build to thrive in live , dry places .
While they ’ve spread around the world , the rude experimental condition favoured by this plant involve a lot of heat and sunshine , and the more faithfully you may recreate this in your home , the better yourAloe verawill mature .
“ Most Aloes are relatively easy to grow and rely on dependable light conditions , so a shiny sunny windowsill is idealistic , ” says Les .
Choose a dapple with a heap of sunshine but where the flora is n’t in full sunlight all day .
The corner of a elbow room or a windowpane sill that does n’t get full exposure are two good examples .
A room temperature of between 15 - 25 ° C is typically idealistic for your Aloe .
Ongoing Aloe Care
You do n’t need to fertiliseA. veramuch , or even at all .
If you decide to do so , use a houseplant rule weakened to about half strength by mixing with veritable soil .
Add a small amount around the base of your works every few hebdomad , during spring and summer .
Fertilise a maximum of one clock time per calendar month .
A. veraplants do n’t need much pruning , as a rule .
The principal ground for rationalise your Aloe is to scavenge up unhealthy section , or to get at the gel at heart .
If you ’re wondering how to cut anA. veraplant without kill it , simply clip the discussion section off with sharp scissors or trimmer joist .
When trimming dried brown section from the close of a stubble , just edit the affected incision .
To get the gel inwardly , it ’s best to select a thick and mature stalk , then cut at the base .
“ I always keep an Aloe vera on my kitchen windowpane sill – ideally located for any mishaps when falsify ! ” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .
“ I also harvest a few stolon , or ‘ puppy ’ , every twelvemonth for grant away to booster and sept . ”
geld at an slant facilitates better enfeeble and healthier regrowing for the plant .
After you ’ve cut off the stalking , wash any dirt from the base , then support unsloped in a glass to allow the resins to drain out .
These are n’t good for human use and can be discarded .
Once these have drained , flake the stalk with a vegetable peeler and put it in a blender until it reaches a milklike consistency .
Common Problems
A. verais clean sturdy and is n’t prone to many trouble .
However , there is a particular pest that can cause some problems for this industrial plant , as Les excuse :
“ The main pest encounter is the mealy bug . These come out as white wool - similar heap .
“ Big infestations are dealt with using insecticide spray , but the odd dirt ball can be well removed by using methylated spirits applied with a small paintbrush . ”
Here we sketch a few other issues you may encounter , and how to answer them –
The biggest risk withA. verais rot , whether at root word or foliage level .
The primary drive of such rot is overwatering : a industrial plant that can not drain properly will sit down in wet , and this creates an environment that facilitates the growing of fungus that leads to rotting .
To avoid rot , water infrequently and only when required .
Ensure your plant is in well - drain grease , with a hole at the bottom of each container , and in plenty of sunshine .
Watering the roots directly , rather than rain buckets water onto the whole plant , will ensure that leave of absence and stem stay as dry as possible , further mitigate the jeopardy .
Any plant in a container will eventually become root - bind .
This fall out when the root organization becomes so thick that the plant can no longer get enough nutriment from the grunge .
Brown , wilt sections are indicative of root rot – if you suspect this job , you ’ll need to repot yourA. verainto a bigger pot .
Gently tease it out of the current Mary Jane , taking care not to disrupt or damage the root , then re - lot , taking care to choose a full-grown container !
Hopefully , you ’re enthused and prepared to get anA. veraplant established and thriving in your home .
